In reaction a, each sodium atom gives one electron to a chlorine atom. in reaction b, an isotope of oxygen decays to form an isotope of nitrogen. which statement best describes the energy that is released per gram by these reactions? a. reaction a releases more energy than reaction b releases. b. reaction b releases more energy than reaction a releases. c. reaction a and reaction b release equal amounts of energy. d. neither reaction a nor reaction b releases energy.

The answer is b.reaction b releases more energy than reaction a releases.

The reaction a is an example of a chemical reaction while the reaction b is an example of a nuclear reaction. 
Some main differences between the chemical and nuclear reactions are:
- The nuclear reaction releases more energy per gram.
- The nuclear reaction takes place in the nucleus of the atom, while in chemical reactions include electrons.
- In the nuclear reaction, part of the mass is converted into energy, which violates the law of conservation of mass.

Therefore, the nuclear reaction (reaction b) will release more energy than the chemical reaction (reaction a).